The 5 Stages of Cancer Recovery

Has your spouse been living with cancer? Or recently diagnosed with cancer?

Has he/she relapsed? If so, do you feel totally discouraged, confused, and terrified at what’s coming up next?

It is wise to be informed of the stages a cancer survivor might go through, not only from the point of view of a diagnosis but also for better recovery.

The first step is for the cancer survivor to overcome denial regarding the big “C” diagnosis; the mere diagnosis in itself is scary and it brings up a lot of issues in people... Denial is an obstacle to take necessary action, so the sooner you deal with it, the better. In many cases, early intervention is the key to a successful prognosis later on.

The second step is accepting help. Most likely, the survivor is still in a state of shock, when attention skills and other response skills are not the sharpest. This kind of shock is paralyzing to a lot of people, draining them of energy and all other resources. You need the most support at this time, not only from the medical community but also from your friends and family; some people do exceptionally well being supported by a trained coach during these times; a coach would introduce the survivor to new coping skills, support him/her through the changing relationships and the changing world around him/her.

The third step is for the survivor is to show a willingness to make the necessary changes to become healthier. This often involves giving up  some of the old habits he is accustomed with, building a new support system of  healthier babitsfriends, learning new coping skills, and changing many of his relationships.

The fourth step is a commitment to get healthier which entails managing stress, sticking to treatment procedures, and following a healthier lifestyle.

The fifth step is advanced recovery in which the survivor has learned the triggers for low energy and has learned how to listen to his/her body for signs of imbalance and has altered his/her lifestyle to minimize these triggers. In addition, he/she has become involved in helping others in the same situation and has become an inspiration and a role model for many in the community.

Now, the survivor has a good balance in his/her life in all levels between work, home, and everything else.

It is always of great help to keep in mind the cancer experience and to move ahead preventatively: continuously living a healthy balanced lifestyle. This will prevent risk of all diseases, not only decrease the risk of cancer recurrence.

As a cancer survivor, remember: you are a winner already!  Keep going and enjoy life!

Your cancer recovery starts with getting more information about your disease and your recovery.